Story Behind The Song

IF YOUR INTO GAMES I DON'T PLAY FAIR

Song Description

PLAYED IN B MINOR

Lyrics

(Verse 1)
You're pacing the floor with that look in your eye
Like you caught me in some kind of web of a lie
You're shaking your head, saying, "How could you do this?"
Acting so shocked at the snake in your blueprint
You drew up the rules, but you forgot to check
Who's holding the knife right against your neck
You thought this was chess, but I brought a match
Look at the smoke, babe, you missed the catch.


(Pre-Chorus)
Did you read the fine print? No, you skipped right through
Too busy staring at the mirror of you.


(Chorus)
I don't know who told you I play fair,
Or who gave you permission to assume I'd be there.
You're waiting for tears that are never gonna fall,
Standing around in an empty hall.
So save all your speeches, go bite your tongue down,
Or when you tell me you love me--
I'll actually care?
Please. Look around.


(Verse 2)
You draft up your speeches, you practice your pain
Expecting a flood from a cloud that's not rain
You want me to break like the rest of them do
Fall to my knees and apologize to you
I watched you invest in a fictional prize
Now you're cashing out checks that bounce in your eyes
I told you from jump I was out for myself
You put my heart on a dust-covered shelf.


(Pre-Chorus)
Did you think I was fragile? Did you think I was soft?
I've been cutting the strings while you drifted aloft.


(Chorus)
I don't know who told you I play fair,
Or who gave you permission to assume I'd be there.
You're waiting for tears that are never gonna fall,
Standing around in an empty hall.
So save all your speeches, go bite your tongue down,
Or when you tell me you love me--
I'll actually care?
Please. Look around.


(Bridge)
(Music strips back, just a heavy heartbeat drum and distorted vocals)
You say it like a spell, like it carries some weight
Like a magic password at the pearly gates
"I love you, I love you," it's losing its sound
It's just a rock that you threw, and I watched it hit ground.
Did it hurt?
Did it sting?
Did you really believe that your words meant a thing?


(Guitar/Synth Solo - Dark and biting)


(Chorus)
I don't know who told you I play fair,
Or who gave you permission to assume I'd be there.
You're waiting for tears that are never gonna fall,
Standing around in an empty hall.
So save all your speeches, go bite your tongue down,
Or when you tell me you love me--
I'll actually care?


(Outro)
(Whispered, fading out)
Not a single damn tear.
Not a flicker of care.
You played yourself, honey.
I was never playing fair.
(Click, dial tone)